Worship Services

Sunday, September 24: The Time for Turning

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in the liturgical calendar of Judaism, falls on September 29 this year. What can this ancient custom teach us?

One service at 10:30 as many of us will be at Catoctin.

Religious Education

Sunday, September 24

Join us downstairs for a Games Service in the Children’s Chapel at 10:30.

OWL parents

There will be a meeting on Oct. 1 at 11:30 in the Dolan Lounge to discuss the coming year.

RE Registration for 2017-18

RE Classes start officially on Oct. 1st! Please register online or by filling in and leaving a green sheet on the RE table on the first floor. There are two online forms for registration. The first is our full registration form for anyone registering for the first time or anyone with changes in their information that they need to update. The second form is an abbreviated version for anyone who registered last year and all of their information remains the same. Accurate registration numbers are crucially important to our RE program, so please register today!

Events

The Church Auction is November 4, 2017!

Submit your donations now for the Church Auction! It’s easy to do. Go to http://uucss.org/auction/, click on the link for the donation online form, and fill in the blanks or submit them at coffee hour. The deadline is October 1. Contribute a simple or extravagant meal, an outing, or your time and talents. Home baked goods, pottery, knitted items, etc. are welcome. And during the auction, you can fill your calendar with exciting activities and services offered by UUCSS members and friends. And all the fun raises money for our church. Costumes are encouraged (this year’s theme is Day of the Dead). More information is available at: http://uucss.org/auction/.

Transition Team News

Rev. Keely is holding conversations with any and all UUCSS members who would like to share their experiences and perspectives regarding our history, this transition period, and our hopes for the future. You can meet with him individually (at church, or elsewhere) or at a small group “Cottage Party” hosted by a UUCSS member. Space is available at the following Cottage Parties, including a KID-FRIENDLY one on October 28:

You’ll be hearing from the Transition Team on a regular basis as we work to support Rev. Keely. If you have any questions, please see us during coffee hour or email transition@uucss.org. You can also contact us by email to schedule an individual meeting with Rev. Keely.

Women’s Book Group

The Women’s Book Group has been in existence since 2000 and we welcome interested readers. No long-term obligation required. We meet on the fourth Monday of the month; contact dweiner04@gmail.com for more information. September 25’s book: Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill by Sonia Purnell.

Men’s Book Group

We are reading William Conrad’s Nostromo, ranked 47th on the list of 100 best English-language novels in the 20th century by the Modern Library. The next meeting will be held at the home of Craig Flaherty on Sunday, October 22 at 7 pm. All are welcome. If you are interested in joining the group, contact Richard Lorr (rlorr4@gmail.com), get the book, and come to the next meeting. Hope to see you there!

Inreach Evening Creative Aging Group

The Inreach Evening Creative Aging Group kicks off its 8th Season on Tuesday, October 3rd from 7-9pm in the Dolan Lounge. If you are in the second half of life – as defined by you – then this group may be for you, as we explore questions of identity and purpose unique to this stage of life. We meet once a month on the 4th Tuesday (except for this October’s Meeting). Contact Kent McCullough at 301-552-1427 or 301-802-6002 for further information.

Opportunities!

There is a place for you in the UUCSS Sanctuary Singers!!

If you love music, love singing, and love community, come join the choir! The UUCSS Sanctuary Singers perform a diverse array of styles of music, including contemporary UU, classical, gospel, chant, jazz, and early music, normally two Sundays per month during the regular church year, with the summers off. Past choir and/or other musical experience is helpful but not required. Sight singing and ear training classes can be arranged with the music director to provide individual attention and assistance with the music. The choir is open to all generations. Rehearsals are Thursday nights 7:30pm- 9:30pm in the UUCSS sanctuary. For more information contact musicdirector@uucss.org.

Volunteer with the UUCSS RE Program!

Sages and seekers, wanderers and wonderers, RE is searching for volunteer teachers for the new school year! Please contact Catherine at dre@UUCSS.org.

The UUCSS RE program could not function without the help of many UUCSS community members who serve the program with their time and energy. There are a number of volunteer roles for people with varying amounts of RE experience and available time to give. Would you like to help with children’s worship once a month? Can you teach one of our 9:30 am RE classes two times per month? You can help provide spiritual nourishment for the youngest members of this faith community! Email dre@uucss.org for more information or to volunteer.

Announcements

Daily spiritual practice? Have one? Want one? Curious?

If there is interest, I will work with our new DRE, Catherine, to lead a once-a-week 8 week “class” to help folks who want to establish a daily practice. Even apart from that, I would love to hear from those who already have a daily practice: what do you do, why do you do it, etc. Doneby Smith, donebys@gmail.com

Volunteer of the Month – Gregg Harry

Gregg Harry is the Volunteer of the Month for September. Gregg first came to UUCSS in 2011 after moving with his family to the area. He had previously attended a UU church in Massachusetts and wanted to bring his daughter Morgan up in a UU church. Although he intended to visit three or four local churches before choosing, he visited UUCSS first, because it was closest to his home. Talking to people after services, he learned that UUCSS has a strong RE program with many families who have children Morgan’s age. As a scientist, he also liked that the membership includes scientists and science educators. Gregg ended up not visiting any of the other UU churches on his list because he found what he was looking for at UUCSS.

Since joining the church, Gregg has focused his efforts on the Religious Education Program, in which he has been a teacher, a member of the RE committee, and most recently the RE committee chair and a member of the Search Committee for our new RE Director. Gregg has also been active in Families LUUV, likes to attend the annual Fellowship Dinner, and volunteered for the Capital Campaign. Gregg encourages newer visitors, friends, and members to get involved as a way to get to know others and learn how the church works. There are many different ways to get involved, some of which require a great deal of time and energy, and others which do not. Involvement in church activities and programs is vital to UUCSS.

Office Coverage While the Administrator is on Vacation

Melinda Yalom, our Administrator, will be away on vacation through October 9th, 2017. In order to keep the office functioning, she has set these plans in place for coverage while she’s away:

Church Calendar: Ken Iobst has agreed to take care of the UUCSS calendar. Anyone wanting to put something on (or take something off) the calendar should email Ken at logicalemail@uucss.org. He can also answer questions about what’s currently on the calendar. (His home phone is 301-315-6309.)

Church Database: Rob Dahlstrom (chair of the Administrative Operations Committee) has agreed to take care of any database changes or issues. You can reach him by emailing: aocchair@uucss.org. (His cell phone is 301-758-2598.)

Church Space Rentals: Any previously planned rentals will proceed as usual. Otherwise, please contact Melinda at administrator@uucss.org after October 9th for any new rental requests.

Property Issues: Anyone wanting to report a church property problem or concern should contact property@uucss.org. The Property Chair is Brian Beard. Contact him with any emergencies at 240-413-2388.

Order of Service or Written Announcement Information: For Sunday, October 1st or Sunday, October 8th send all information to UUCSS member Catherine Buckler at bucklercath@gmail.com by 9am the Wednesday before the services.

Weekly All-Church Emails: Rob Dahlstrom should receive all information for Weekly All-Church Emails at aocchair@uucss.org by 9am Wednesday each week between September 20th and October 4th.

Oral Announcements: Send all Oral Announcement Information to these Board Members by 9am Wednesday each week:

Uniter: Send all information and inquiries about the October 2017 Uniter to Co-Editors Jane Larrick and Stephanie McConachie, at uniter@uucss.org.

Financial Contributions to UUCSS

We appreciate your financial contributions to UUCSS and want to provide accurate records for you. To help us do this, please put “Auction,” “Capital Campaign,” or “2017-18 Pledge” in the memo line of your check. If you want to donate stock, please email collector@uucss.org for easy instructions on how to move the stock into the church’s Etrade account. Thank you!

Attention Planners of Church Events

The Green Sanctuary Committee, in conjunction with the Property Committee, and the Program Council, has posted helpful resources on the Green Sanctuary page of the UUCSS web site to ensure our events follow our values by being green! Click on http://uucss.org/green/ for guidelines on greening events, recycling, and composting. You just may learn something new!

Parking During Church Services & Events

In an effort to be as welcoming to visitors as possible, we encourage UUCSS members who are able to not park in the UUCSS lot for Sunday services or large events so that we can keep spots open for visitors. Good alternative parking spots include the side streets near UUCSS and the CHI lot just north of the church on New Hampshire Avenue. Thank you in advance for your help.

Click on the link, or copy/paste it into your browser, and it will take you to “UUCSS Member Dropbox”. There you can view minutes from board meetings, congregational meetings, and annual meetings, as well as copies of UUCSS constitution and policies, and other resources. New folders and documents will be added over time. Questions about the Dropbox may be sent to: boardsecretary@uucss.org. Emails to the Board of Trustees may be sent to: board@uucss.org.